Reggie Willits

[SultanOfSwing]

What about trying to acquire Reggie Willits? Right now he is blocked by Guerrero, Matthews Jr., Hunter and even Rivera. I have heard that the Angels are trying to move Rivera instead and aren't shopping Willits. However, I think the Reds should push hard for him (instead of Crisp or Badelli or any other names that have been thrown around).

What he offers:
Top-tier defense in CF (perhaps GG-caliber?)
Solid BA (.270-.310)
Very good speed (27 in MLB last year 35-45 MiLB average)
.400+ OBP

Stats:


Batting Statistics
Year Team Lg Age Org. Level Pos G AB R H 2B 3BHRRBISB CS BB SOHBPIBBSHSFDP AVG OBP SLG OPS GB%
2002 Oklahoma Big12 21 NCAA 61 224 50 66 12 1 3 25 17 6 32 38 7 4 1 0 .295 .398 .397 795 --
2003 Oklahoma Big12 22 NCAA 54 206 55 78 16 1 3 19 37 7 31 21 7 6 2 2 .379 .472 .510 982 --
Provo Pio 22 Ana Rk of 59 230 53 69 14 4 4 27 14 4 37 52 6 0 3 0 2 .300 .410 .448 858 --
2004 Rancho Cuc 23 Ana A+ of 135 526 99 149 17 5 5 52 44 15 73 112 8 1 8 10 9 .283 .373 .363 736 --
2005 Arkansas Tex 24 Laa AA of 123 487 75 148 23 6 2 46 40 14 54 78 8 0 4 8 5 .304 .377 .388 765 --
2006 Salt Lake PCL 25 Laa AAA of 98 353 85 115 18 4 3 38 31 15 77 50 2 0 4 1 5 .326 .448 .425 873 --
LA Angels AL 25 Laa MLB log cf 28 45 12 12 1 0 0 2 4 3 11 10 0 0 2 0 0 .267 .411 .289 700 44%
2007 LA Angels AL 26 MLB lf-rf 136 430 74 126 20 1 0 34 27 8 69 83 3 2 11 5 7 .293 .391 .344 735 55%

Major League Totals - 2 Season(s) 164 475 86 138 21 1 0 36 31 11 80 93 3 2 13 5 7 .291 .393 .339 732 44%
Minor League Totals - 4 Season(s) 415 1596 312 481 72 19 14 163 129 48 241 292 24 1 19 19 21 .301 .397 .397 794 --

http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/willire03.shtml
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/W/reggie-willits.shtml

He seems like the perfect fit to fill in this year until Bruce is promoted (and then be 4th OF) and take CF permanently next year (after Griffey presumably leaves). He appears to be the perfect lead-off hitter.

What would you offer for him? What do you think the Angels would want/accept?

Stubbs, Belisle, AA arm?

Discuss...

[Keystone12]

No.

We dealt Hamilton because we have a surfeit of outfielders. Trading away pitching or real prospects for an outfielder would be pretty foolish. I'd rather throw Votto in the leadoff spot.

[SultanOfSwing]

No.



We dealt Hamilton because we have a surfeit of outfielders. Trading away pitching or real prospects for an outfielder would be pretty foolish. I'd rather throw Votto in the leadoff spot.


Then who is the CF next year? And the leadoff hitter?

Votto doesn't belong in the lead-off hole forever.

I say deal sooner than later, before the Angels logjam starts to clear up or they make him available to several clubs.

[captainmorgan07]

No Jay Bruce is the future we don't need anybody else plain and simple.

[SultanOfSwing]

No Jay Bruce is the future we don't need anybody else plain and simple.
But not the future CF or lead-off hitter. Who fills those roles?

[Jr's Boy]

Would love to see the Reds get Willits,however the Halo's would be asking too much I think.

[Orenda]

No Jay Bruce is the future we don't need anybody else plain and simple.

Why? Would adding another good player around Jay Bruce make him less of a "star". Getting Willits would be of great benefit for the Reds now and in the future.

[justincredible]

Yes, Bruce is the future. But Bruce's future is in right field. I wouldn't see a problem adding someone like Willits who is a perfect leadoff guy and plays great defense. Griffey won't be here next season so Bruce can slide over to RF and Willits can be the every day CFer. Dunn, Willits and Bruce is an outfield that I could definitely be happy with for a few years (assuming Dunn gets locked up long term in the near future).

[mlbfan30]

Willits isn't going to be traded because the Angels aren't the type of team that trades young players. They are the type of team that develops young players and signs veterans to play instead. Sound familiar? Willits has a TON of value right now, and he's going to cost several top 10 prospects outside the big 4. They might do it for Roenicke, Stubbs and Belisle, but that might not be enough. And I wouldn't do that anyway.

[tommycash]

He is not behind Guerrero, or Rivera since they are not CF. The way it looks to me (my opinion), is that Willits is in waiting like Bruce in the Angels system. I doubt he is shopped around at all at this point. I bet he ends up with a starting job there this year, similar, but with more PT than last year.

[laxtonto]

Wiltis is stuck behind the Angles big fish FA, tori hunter. He may see some time but considering that the Angles also have Vlad, GMjr, and Garret Anderson, he wont get alot of AB's unless the halos can find a way to move GMjr. Wiltis is blocked and may end up back in the minors. I doubt hell take in a return of several prospects in anyone top10 now because he has no place to play now and for the forseeable future. (Not counting the CHWSor Astros minos systems)

[tommycash]

Matthews might drop after the sterotds run through his system.

[laxtonto]

GMjr is still owed a huge amount of $$,

5 year 50 M
$2M signing bonus
07:$6M, 08:$9M, 09:$10M, 10:$11M, 11:$12M
$0.5M assignment bonus if traded
full no-trade clause, 2007-09
limited no-trade clause, 2010-11 (may block deals to 4 clubs)

Im pretty sure he isnt going to get moved. It would probably be ther ight move to try and trade him, but it would also mean that the halos FO admits that he was a mistake. Wiltis is most likely going to AAA

[tommycash]

I can see that. I am just getting tired of the steroid guys. McGwire and Palmeiro are shunned now, but if a guy takes steroids and after mediocre seasons, he gets a huge contract. I just think they might keep Willits for insurance until the All Star Break. Then, if they are losing, he could regain a big spot due to some of those in front of him being traded. I can see him being traded if they are winning and are in need of some veteran pitching or veteran hitter. Matthews would not be traded since you pointed out he has a full no trade clause. And how stupid is that contract.